Life Lived as a Stutter

In the span of fifty years, my life has been a journey marked by challenges and triumphs, a testament to the indomitable spirit that resides within every human being. Born into a family of three men and five women, my early years were defined by a struggle with asthma that rendered me unable to speak until the age of four. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of a unique journey filled with obstacles, resilience, and unexpected opportunities.

As the only one in my family grappling with peculiar speech issues, my entrance into the realm of education became a battleground. Enrolled in school, I quickly became the target of mockery and the subject of laughter. Despite facing the scorn of my peers, I pressed on, determined to overcome the challenges that seemed insurmountable. School debates, a platform where articulation is paramount, became a source of anxiety. Extra time was allocated to me to utter the words that refused to flow effortlessly, casting me as an outsider in the world of spoken expression.

Upon graduating, I found myself at a crossroads, contemplating a career that wouldn't demand eloquence. Teaching, an occupation synonymous with verbal communication, was promptly discarded as an option. It was then that the idea of farming emerged as a refuge from the verbal challenges that plagued me. I established a farm that encompassed both piggery and poultry, finding solace in the quietude of agricultural pursuits.

However, destiny had more in store for me. A revelation struck, urging me towards further studies in agriculture. England beckoned as the land of opportunity, and I embarked on a quest to pursue higher education. A letter to various colleges in England bore fruit when Bicton College and the Bicton Oversea Agricultural Trust (BOAT) responded with the affirmative, awarding me a scholarship.

The journey to England was not just a physical relocation; it symbolized a transformative odyssey from a boy stifled by asthma and stutter to a farmer with aspirations of academic accomplishment. Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, a bus awaited to transport me to the agriculturally rich region of Devon. Enrolled in Bicton College and guided by the benevolence of BOAT, my education in all facets of farming commenced.

In the midst of this academic journey, an unexpected challenge surfaced during a speech about our respective countries organized by BOAT. Stuttering, my perennial adversary, reared its head once again. It was then that Mr. Russell, one of the sponsors, intervened. His counsel became a beacon of hope, offering practical strategies to combat stuttering – a breath before speaking, and even incorporating singing into my speech. This guidance provided a measure of relief, unlocking doors to effective communication.

Returning home, however, presented financial hurdles in the pursuit of my farming dreams. Desperate to overcome this obstacle, I journeyed to Nigeria to seek assistance from my elder brother. There, I stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity – a chance to become a mathematics teacher. Armed with an A level qualification in mathematics, I embarked on a new chapter in the teaching profession.

Mr. Russell's advice became my compass in the teaching arena. Despite the occasional stumbling and the laughter of students, I persisted for 25 years. My success as an educator was intertwined with the challenges posed by my stutter. Speaking slowly became a coping mechanism, and surprisingly, it endeared me to students below average academically. They preferred my measured speech, making me the preferred teacher in many of the schools I served.

The dichotomy of success and mockery defined my teaching career, yet the enduring spirit within me propelled me forward. As I reflect on this journey, I recognize the strength forged in the crucible of adversity. From the silenced boy to the farmer seeking knowledge, and finally, to the teacher overcoming speech impediments, my story is a tapestry woven with threads of determination, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams.